NC Whitewater Rafting
With several pristine
rivers and creeks
converging all in one
spot,
Valle Crucis and
the surrounding High
Country areas are some
of the best spots in the
state for whitewater
rafting, kayaking, and
tubing. Kayakers,
rafters and those
looking for a leisurely
bit of tubing fun on
their vacation can enjoy
river activities
year-round, but most
visitors enjoy the
warmer temperatures and
higher water levels
during June, July and
August.

With so many rivers and
creeks in the area, you
can choose from several
local guide shops in the
area to provide
guided trips on the
water. Typically, the
rafting season in the
High Country
starts
at the end of
March and ends in the
middle of October. The
size and types of rapids
you encounter
depend on the river you
choose
and the season within
which you raft. Many times, after a long
rain period, the rivers
will be incredibly fast
flowing giving way to
more intense rapids.

The major
rivers in the
area are the
Watauga and the
New River,
however many local
rafting companies offer
rafting trips on major
North Carolina
and Tennessee rivers like the
French Broad and the Nolichucky. Several
smaller rivers and
streams are popular
floating spots, perfect
for a day of
canoeing or tubing. Most of the
larger rivers are
commercially rafted and
beginners should not go without a special
rafting guide. Below, we
have provided specific details on
popular rivers
so that the
river you choose
fits you and
your group's
interests and
needs.

The French Broad is
located near Asheville
and provides rapids of
all different class
levels for intermediate
to experienced rafters.
Several fairly intensive
sections of the river
provide wild, fast
rapids as the river
winds through a gorgeous
spot in the Pisgah
National Forest.

The Nolichucky River
begins in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North
Carolina near the
Mitchell County border
with Yancey County and
flows westward into the
mountains of East
Tennessee. This river
has a nice combination
of NC Whitewater
Rafting spots and calm
areas that are perfect
for canoeing.

The New River flows
through Ashe and
Alleghany Counties and
is renowned for being
the second oldest river
in the world. Rafting
and tubing are hugely
popular on the New River
and there are several
great spots along the
river to put your raft
in. Rafters, canoers and
those looking to tube
will all delight in the
sights and sounds of
this gorgeous,
relatively calm
and ancient
river.

The Watauga
River is the
river for families and
groups with small
children to raft. The
rapids on the Watauga
River are calmer and
offer a more mild
rafting experience. The
beautiful scenery along
the banks of the river
will catch your eye and
you will not be worried
about the dangerous
rocks and undertows that
generally accompany NC Whitewater
Rafting on other
rivers.

Wilson's Creek is a
smaller creek in the
area, but a hugely
popular place to enjoy
rafting and all sorts of
water activities.
Wilson's Creek drops 85
feet per mile and gives
rafters tons of thrills
with gigantic rapids
that flow over 5 and 10
foot ledge drops.

Are you planning a fun
trip to the mountains?
Our NC Mountain Cabins
are located across the
High Country in Valle
Crucis,
Banner
Elk, Sugar
Mountain, Beech
Mountain,
Linville,
Newland, and
Boone. Browse our cozy
NC Mountain Cabins to
find the perfect
vacation accommodations
for you and your group.
Create special moments, enjoy a fun day of
NC White Water Rafting
and return to
one of our cozy
and convenient
NC Mountain
Cabins after an
exciting day of
NC Whitewater
Rafting!